Reflective sign structure



G. M. REININGER 2,231,139

REFLECTIVE SIGN STRUCTURE Filed April 27, 19:59

llll hmll lllilll lllll INVENTOR Gusfave Hem/Myer Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ()ICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a reflective sign structure or display device having a luminescent characteristic dependent upon extraneous light directed thereon.

An object of the invention is to provide a reflective sign. or display structure having superior attractiveness and reflective properties, although the structure embodies a simplicity of construction heretofore unknown in devices of its kind.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sign or display structure having the improvements mentioned, which may be manufactured inexpensively with a saving of labor and costly materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reflective sign structure including means for accomplishing a directional luminescence so as to adapt the sign structure to various environments, thereby securing the maximum attractiveness and brilliance under conditions of changing surroundings without bodily moving or re-locating the entire sign structure.

Another object of the invention is to improve upon the manner of assembly of a sign structure, to avoid frequent servicing and rapid deterioration of its reflective properties.

These and other objects are obtained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is .a plan view of a reflective sign structure embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of a modified form of reflective sign structure embodying the invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating a modification thereof.

The display or sign structure of the present invention comprises, in accordance with Figs. 1 .and 2, a substantially flat plate 1 of glass or other translucent material, having opposed front and rear faces 8 and 9, respectively. The front face 8 is provided with a multiplicity of lightdiffusing surfaces preferably in the form of small lenses o-r hemispherical protuberances II] which are formed integral with the translucent plate. In the preferred form of the invention, the small protuberances are substantially of uniform size and equal spacing over the entire front face of the plate. The lower left hand corner of Fig. 1 exemplifies the nature of the front face of plate I, it being understood that in practice the protuberances extend over the entire area 8. While it may be possible to form the protuberances with various shapes or configurations, superior results have been accomplished by making them hemispherical so as to accomplish a lense effect rather than a prismatic efiect.

A sign or display character indicated at I 2 is applied to the rear face 9 of the translucent plate in any suitable manner, such as by painting or any other process commonly employed in the application of sign letters or display charpound, a foil, or other brilliance reflecting sheet I or coating, as may be desired.

The foregoing is an explanation of the simplest form of the invention, which has proven attractive due to the lens effect of the multiplicity of protuberances H], which produce a soft but highly brilliant reflection of extraneous light imposed upon the outer or front face 8 of the sign structure.

In accordance with Figs. 3 and 4, the translucent plate likewise is provided with the multiplicity of small protuberances l upon the front face 8 of the sign structure, but in this form of the device, the entire rear face is silvered or otherwise rendered brilliantly reflective by means of a sheet or coating I3 of the character referred to above. The sign or display character of Figs. 3 and 4 is distinguished by reason of the fact that it is formedin the nature of apertures such as land l provided in a face plate It which covers the front face of the translucent body I. The plate It may be of sheet material which which is preferably opaque, so that those protuberances or miniature lenses which do not show through the apertures I 4 and I5 are covered by the face plate l6. While it is possible to form the face plate I8 from various kinds of sheet material, it is highly desirable to utilize metal or some material that may be bent along two or three of the edges of the translucent body 1, to provide flanges such as IT and [8 arranged in channel formation to receive and hold the translucent plate. The areas of the face plate 16 which have not been cut away, overlie a considerable'number of the protuberances l0, and may contact them as illustrated in Fig. 4. In forming certain types of letters or display characters, it is considered desirable to provide narrow strips such as t9 between the apertures 0r cut-outs indicated at M and 15, to establish the integrity of the letter or display character.

In both of the structures thus far illustrated and described, it is deemed desirable to apply to the back of the sign structure a protective sheet or coating 20, so that the silvered and painted areas will not be readily injured or de- Those portions of ture.

facedduring handlin or use of the sign struc- The sheet or coating may be of any desired character, it being customary to apply it as a paint having wear resisting qualities.

In the modification of Fig. 5, the structure will have the outward appearance of the Fig. 3 disclosure, since the plate Ili with its apertures 54 and I5 is employed in combination with a translucent plate I as previously explained. In the Fig. 5 modification, however, the rear face 9 of the translucent plate 1 is permitted to remain untreated, so that the plate 1 is translucent throughout, and said plate is backed by a second translucent plate 21 which, by preference, though not of necessity, is identical tothe plate I. The translucent plate 2! has its plain face 26 untreated so that it is clear and transparent, whereas the plate which carries the lightdiffusing means 30 is backed .or coated with a reflecting coating or sheeting 3|. A protective coat or sheet 32 may be applied over the reflecting material 3|.

. The light-diifusing means of plate 21 should be the same as is indicated at II), that is, it

should be constituted of a multiplicity of hemispherical protuberances or miniature lenses of the same size and spacing as those of plate I. The reason for this is that plate 21 is rendered shiftable relative to the plate 1 so that light rays penetrating the lenses of plate 1 will impinge upon the reflective lenses of plate 21, and be thrown back through the front face 8 of plate 1 directionally, dependent upon the positions assumed by the lenses 30 with relation tothe lenses Ill. The plate 21 may be rendered shiftable in any suitable manner, such as by means of a plurality of shims or spacers 33 and 34 provided at opposite ends of the plate. By shifting the shims from one end of the plate to the other, the relationship of the lenses 3!] to the lenses Ill may be varied, so that the extraneous light rays emanating from a source at any angle to the front face of the sign structure, may be reflected back directionally under complete control of a sign erector, by manipulation of the groups of shims 33 and 34.

The primary advantage of the Fig. 5 construction, in addition to the advantages resulting from the use of hemispherical protuberances or lenses [0 onthe front face of the sign, is that the sign may be erected .on a building, or upon a roof or elsewhere, and thereafter adjusted as to its brilliancy, taking into consideration the angularity between the observers point of view and the location of extraneous light source which the sign erector desires totake advantage of for illuminating his installation. Should the extraneous light source utilized ever be removed or changed as to location, the sign of Fig. 5 may be adjusted by shifting the plate 21, so as to take advantage of other available extraneous light sources, thereby to again direct reflected rays to a thoroughfare or some portion thereof from which the sign or display of Fig. 5 is to be observed. The shifting of the reflective lenses of plate 211 is easily accomplished and may be performed as often as selected extraneous light sources may be altered as to location. In some instances, a newand more desirable extraneous light source may appear in the vicinity, in which case it may be desirable to adjust the present sign or display so as to take advantage of the new light source.

In the sign structure of Fig. 5, it is considered desirable to provide resilient flanges 35 and 36 along two or three of the plate edges at the rear of the device, so that the contacting faces of plates 1 and 21 may be likewise kept in firm flatwise abutment in order to exclude dirt, condensation, and any other foreign material that might impair the brilliancy of the sign structure. The resilient members 35 may be integral parts of the face plate It if desired, but it should be readily evident that the force of contact between the plates 1 and 21 may be achieved in various other ways. Broadly stated, one of the objectives of the Fig. 5 construction is to furnish means whereby the angle of incidence of light rays reflected by the sign structure may be altered at will, toaccommodate the sign to varying additions of extraneous light source.

With respect to the disclosures of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it is to be understood that the protuberances or lenses l0 may be applied to the rear face of the sign, if desired, leaving the front face plain. In such a construction, the sign character and the coatings would be applied to theface that carries the protuberances or lenses. It is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the structural details of the device, within the scope .of the appended claims, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a reflective sign structure of the character described, the combination of a plate of translucent material having opposed front and rear faces, a series of substantially uniform equally spaced hemispherical protuberances extending from the front face of the plate, a reflector plate including a reflecting material and similar protuberances on the rear face thereof so as to be observable through the front face thereof, and a substantially opaque cover apertured in the form of a display character, adapted to overlie the front face and those protuberances of the translucent plate Which are in non-registering position with relation to the cover apparatus, and means for selectively adjusting one of the plates for directional reflection of extraneous light rays impinging thereon through the front of the sign structure.

2. In a reflective sign structure of the character described, the combination of a plate of translucent material having opposed front and rear faces, a series of substantially uniform equally spaced hemispherical protuberances extending from the front face of the plate, a substantially opaque cover apertured in the form of a display character, adapted to overlie the front face of the plate and exposing the uncovered protuberances through the cover aperture, and means for backing the plate comprising a shiftable reflector plate having a smooth face resting along the rear face of the first mentioned plate, and having a silvered opposed face including protuberances like that of the first mentioned plate, said reflector plate being movable to positions of adjustment at which extraneous light rays directed thereon through thefirst plate will be reflected back at an angle dependent upon the adjustment mentioned.

GUSTAVE M. REININGER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,251,159. February 11, 19in.

' GUSTAVE M. REININGER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, sec- 0nd column, line 14.5-14.6, claim 1, for the word "apparatus" read -aper tures-; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of March, A. D. 19m.

x Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

